Research Administrator at Aga Khan University (AKU)

Purpose of Assignment

The Consultant will be based in Aga Khan University, East Africa home to the Medical College, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Graduate School of Media and Communication, East Africa Institute and Institute of Human development.

The key campuses for the scope of work will be Nairobi and Dar-es-salaam. Presently there is minimal activity in sponsored research progressing in Kampala.

The Consultant will define strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the existing research management structure and make recommendations on how to make it more accountable and efficient in grants competitiveness.

He/she is, expected to deliver output that includes drafting of an organogram, policies, process maps, and job descriptions for positions necessary for successful competitive research administration within four to six months. This should be done, with the recognition that AKU is one university with multiple campuses with interlinked governance systems. Particularly important in this case is link between EA structures and Office of Sponsored Research in Karachi under Associate Research Vice Provost

Duration of assignment

6 months

Reporting to

The Associate Dean, Research, MC/SONAM – EA, Aga Khan University

Deliverables

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF GRANTS

• Budget support during competitive grants application
• Award contracts and sub-contracts including NDAs
• Financial administration of donor grants
• Closure of awards

RECRUITMENT

• Hiring of research staff
• Hiring of short and long term consultants
• Managing contracts and separations
• Labour law provisions

PROCUREMENT FOR SPONSORED RESEARCH

• Purchasing of scheduled and non-scheduled items
• Importation of equipment and supplies
• Storage of equipment and supplies
• End project disposal of equipment and supplies

LEGAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

• Award contracts and sub-contracts including NDAs
• Property rights provisions
• Material and data transfer
• Litigation and Insurance

ICT SUPPORT

• Submission for ethical approval
• Institutional checklist approvals
• Tracking of finances during implementation
• Ordering and consumption of supplies
• Closure of grants
• Source documents retention as per the law

RESEARCH ETHICS

• Efficiency of submission and reviews
• Compliance with national laws
• Monitoring compliance with terms of approvals and risk reporting

Skills & Knowledge

The Consultant, will be minimum Master’s Degree holder in Public Health, Business Administration or Public Administration with Professional certification with CRA, SRA, NCURA or HUMENTUM. Other equivalent qualifications will be considered.

He/she will have a minimum of 10 years of research administration experience and astute in organizational and change management at leadership level. Research Project management experience is essential as well as demonstrated experience with operation of medical centers.